US9841203B2 - Apparatus and methods for power stealing by controllers - Google Patents
Apparatus and methods for power stealing by controllers Download PDFInfo
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- US9841203B2 US9841203B2 US14/536,922 US201414536922A US9841203B2 US 9841203 B2 US9841203 B2 US 9841203B2 US 201414536922 A US201414536922 A US 201414536922A US 9841203 B2 US9841203 B2 US 9841203B2
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
- F24F11/62—Control or safety arrangements characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
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- F24F11/006—
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- F24F11/0009—
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- F24F11/001—
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
- F24F11/30—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
- F24F11/30—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
- F24F11/49—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring ensuring correct operation, e.g. by trial operation or configuration checks
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
- F24F11/62—Control or safety arrangements characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
- F24F11/63—Electronic processing
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- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- G05D23/00—Control of temperature
- G05D23/19—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means
- G05D23/1902—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means characterised by the use of a variable reference value
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- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- G05D23/00—Control of temperature
- G05D23/19—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means
- G05D23/1919—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means characterised by the type of controller
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- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05F—SYSTEMS FOR REGULATING ELECTRIC OR MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- G05F1/00—Automatic systems in which deviations of an electric quantity from one or more predetermined values are detected at the output of the system and fed back to a device within the system to restore the detected quantity to its predetermined value or values, i.e. retroactive systems
- G05F1/66—Regulating electric power
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F2110/00—Control inputs relating to air properties
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02M—APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF
- H02M5/00—Conversion of ac power input into ac power output, e.g. for change of voltage, for change of frequency, for change of number of phases
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02M—APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF
- H02M7/00—Conversion of ac power input into dc power output; Conversion of dc power input into ac power output
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for power stealing by controllers.
- thermostats and other climate control system controllers typically have microcomputers and other components that continuously use electrical power.
- Various thermostats may utilize power stealing to obtain operating power.
- a load e.g., a compressor, fan, or gas valve
- operating power for the thermostat may be stolen from the circuit for that load.
- Exemplary embodiments or implementations are disclosed of methods and apparatus for power stealing by a controller.
- An exemplary implementation is directed to a controller for use in a climate control system.
- the controller includes a power stealing circuit connectible with a control of the climate control system and configured for stealing power from a power source via a signal through the control.
- An overcurrent limiting circuit is configured to limit a first portion of the signal to prevent a false call for operation of the control.
- the overcurrent limiting circuit is further configured not to limit a second portion of the signal to prevent a false call, where the control is configured to recognize only the first portion as determinative of whether the signal is a call for operation.
- the disclosure is directed to a method performed by a controller in a climate control system.
- the controller configures and sends a signal having first and second portions to a control of the climate control system such that only the first portion is determinative of whether the signal is a call for operation of the control.
- the controller limits the first portion to prevent a false call for operation of the control.
- the controller steals power during at least the second portion.
- a controller for use in a climate control system includes a power stealing circuit connectible with a control of the climate control system.
- the power stealing circuit is configured for stealing power via a signal from a power source through the control.
- An overcurrent limiting circuit is configured to limit only a positive portion of the signal to prevent a false call for operation of the control, where only the positive portion is determinative of whether the control recognizes the signal as a call for operation.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram of a conventional climate control system
- FIG. 2 is a diagram of a climate control system having a thermostat configured in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams of climate control systems having thermostats configured in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure
- FIGS. 5A-5C are diagrams of climate control system signals generated in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
- FIGS. 6A-6D are diagrams of climate control system signals generated in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 7 is a diagram of an example control signal conditioning circuit
- FIGS. 8A-8B are diagrams of climate control system signals generated in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
- FIGS. 9A-9B are diagrams of climate control system signals generated in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
- FIGS. 10A-10C are diagrams of climate control system signals generated in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 11 is a diagram of a climate control system signal generated in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
- the inventor has observed that battery-powered thermostats often are not connected to a common (C) terminal of a climate control system transformer.
- Power stealing mechanisms in battery powered thermostats typically have limitations, in that (1) power stealing often is not operable while a call for heat or cool is present, and (2) amounts of power drawn through power stealing can be very limited.
- a thermostat controls heating and/or cooling devices based on demand for heating and/or cooling.
- Many thermostats send signals to heating and/or cooling devices by switching an RC/RH line from a climate control system transformer, which typically provides 24V AC.
- FIG. 1 An example conventional climate control system is indicated in FIG. 1 by reference number 20 .
- a heating or cooling device 24 receives power from a transformer 28 and receives operational signals from a thermostat 32 .
- the thermostat 32 is powered by one or more battery(s) 34 .
- a control 36 e.g., a microprocessor, receives power from a power supply 38 connected to the battery(s) 34 .
- the thermostat 32 does not have a connection with a common (C) wire 40 of the transformer 28 .
- the thermostat 32 performs power stealing, e.g., by drawing power from the transformer 28 via a RC/RH line 44 .
- C common
- a switch S e.g., a relay 50 inside the thermostat 32
- V steal across S can be used to draw a small amount of current through the RC/RH line 44 .
- drawing more than a limited amount of current when the switch S is open can increase V steal and could result in a false call, e.g., for heat or cool.
- V steal is zero and no power stealing current can be drawn.
- a control 124 e.g., a heating or cooling device, receives power from transformer hot and common wires TH and TR and receives operational signals from a thermostat 132 .
- the control 124 may be, e.g., a furnace control, a universal control, an air handling control, etc.
- the thermostat 132 has a backup battery 134 .
- a relay switch 150 is driven by the thermostat 132 and represents a thermostat call relay for activating a control of the climate control system 100 , e.g., for W 1 , W 2 , Y 1 , Y 2 , G, O, etc.
- a power stealing circuit 154 steals power, through the control 124 , from the transformer hot and common wires TH and TR.
- a rectifier bridge 156 provides output and a capacitor 160 at the output of bridge 156 filters out ripples.
- the thermostat 132 may receive operating power from the capacitor 160 . Additionally or alternatively, power stealing may be performed to maintain a charge in the backup battery 134 . If the charge at the capacitor 160 decreases to a minimum level then the thermostat 132 may switch to a back-up supply from the battery 134 .
- the rectifier bridge 156 , capacitor 160 and battery 134 are provided inside the thermostat 132 , although shown for simplicity in FIG. 2 as being outside the thermostat.
- the battery 134 and capacitor 160 may be hardwired in such a way that the thermostat 132 could receive power from the battery 134 automatically if, e.g., voltage across the capacitor 160 decreases to a predetermined minimum level.
- the capacitor 160 cannot be charged if, e.g., the relay 150 inside the thermostat 132 is turned ON, e.g., closed, to generate, e.g., a W 1 or Y 1 call.
- the input terminals of the rectifier bridge 156 are then tied to same potential (e.g., 24VAC) and so the bridge 156 cannot charge the capacitor 160 . If the relay 150 remains closed for a long time, then the capacitor 160 may get discharged and so the thermostat 132 may start using the power supply from the battery 134 . On the other hand, when the relay 150 is open and a call signal path 164 is used for power stealing, a false call may be generated.
- control 124 includes a voltage drop resistor 168 connected across the call signal path 164 and the common wire TR.
- a current flow across the resistor 168 might cause voltage development across the resistor 168 sufficient to cause false call signal activation at the control 124 .
- power drawn during power stealing can be low, and a thermostat operating at its full capacity could ultimately use a battery backup supply.
- a thermostat or other climate control system controller is provided that is configured, e.g., to draw a maximum available amount of power through power stealing when there is no call signal present.
- a controller such as a thermostat includes a power stealing circuit connectible with a climate control system control. The power stealing circuit is configured for stealing power via a signal from a power source through the control.
- An overcurrent limiting circuit of the thermostat is configured to limit a first portion of the signal to prevent a false call for operation of the control.
- the overcurrent limiting circuit is further configured not to limit a second portion of the signal to prevent a false call, where the control is configured to recognize only the first portion as determinative of whether the signal is a call for operation.
- an overcurrent limiting circuit 172 is provided in the thermostat 132 to prevent, e.g., excessive currents that might cause a false call.
- climate control system controls e.g., heating/cooling device microcontrollers
- check for logic “1” and logic “0” signals e.g., an AC signal may be received as an input
- an internal diode for example, may be provided that allows only a positive signal while a negative signal is filtered out.
- Some devices may use, e.g., a half-wave rectified signal on a board for sensing and de-bouncing a call signal.
- a resultant signal thus may be logic “1” for a positive half cycle and logic “0” for a negative half cycle.
- the negative half cycle may be rectified and considered as logic “0,” e.g., at a call receiving unit of a climate control system furnace control or universal control (IFC/UC).
- maximum power may be obtained through power stealing where current, e.g., for negative half cycles of a signal from RC/RH wires is not limited, e.g., by a current limiting circuit, if any. In such manner, a maximum current flow can be obtained through the terminal resistor during negative voltage at the resistor. Such a flow would not cause a false call to be generated, since the voltage across the resistor would fall only at negative half cycles.
- current e.g., for negative half cycles of a signal from RC/RH wires is not limited, e.g., by a current limiting circuit, if any.
- the overcurrent limit circuit 172 does not limit negative voltage development but may prevent excessive positive voltage development across the resistor 168 to avoid false call generation. Thus current may be limited, e.g., on positive half cycles, so that limited power stealing may be performed during positive half cycles.
- power stealing also may be enabled during a call for activating a control.
- power stealing circuitry could obtain maximum power, e.g., during a negative half cycle where there is no limit on current flow. Since current flowing through a voltage drop resistor of a control call receiving unit for negative half cycles does not affect call de-bouncing logic of the call receiving unit, a maximum available amount of power can be obtained during these negative half cycles where there is no current limit for negative half cycles.
- “negative” means that a RH/RC signal is negative with reference to common.
- the inventor has further observed that a negative half cycle is filtered out of a call signal at the call receiving units of many controls. Therefore if a negative half cycle is not provided to such a call receiving unit and the signal path is OFF for negative half cycles, a power stealing circuit bridge rectifier would get the potential difference across its input terminals, providing the output voltage for power stealing.
- the call receiver unit would not be able to recognize that a negative cycle is not present but would recognize the signal as a call signal. The same signal would appear at a call receiving microprocessor pin as would appear if a full wave RC/RH signal were received. Accordingly the call would activate the control.
- portions of a call signal may be removed momentarily.
- a RC/RH signal is used as a call signal (e.g., W 1 , Y 1 , G, O, W 2 , Y 2 , etc.)
- the call can be removed momentarily for partial half cycle(s), or for complete half cycle(s), or for complete full cycle(s), or for various combinations of the foregoing.
- a call may be removed momentarily by simply not allowing a negative cycle to the call receiving unit, e.g., by adding a diode to the switching relay, etc.
- a rectifier bridge When the relay is turned ON, it will conduct for positive cycles only and not for negative cycles. Thus for negative cycles, a rectifier bridge will get a potential difference and will provide output voltage. “Removing a call momentarily” means that the same signal as that of RH/RC signal would not be applied. Many types of signal could be used as a call signal. Additionally or alternatively, a 0V signal, a positive DC voltage and/or a negative DC voltage could be used as call signals. Thus, in various embodiments, instead of keeping a call signal (e.g., W 1 , Y 1 , etc.) ON continuously, the call signal could be switched ON and/or OFF.
- a call signal e.g., W 1 , Y 1 , etc.
- a device could be configured in a thermostat to rectify a 24VAC signal to provide a +Ve or ⁇ Ve cycle without causing an effect on signal de-bouncing at a control receiver unit.
- a power stealing circuit bridge rectifier would have one input connected to a C terminal, e.g., through a voltage drop resistor of the control, and the other input connected, e.g., to a 24VAC RC/RH wire.
- a control 224 e.g., a heating or cooling device, receives power from transformer hot and common wires TH and TR and receives operational signals from a thermostat 232 .
- a diode 248 is provided in series with a relay 250 for activating a control of the climate control system 200 , e.g., for W 1 , W 2 , Y 1 , Y 2 , G, O, etc.
- a power stealing circuit 254 is configured to steal power, through the control 224 , from the transformer hot and common wires TH and TR.
- a rectifier bridge 256 provides output and a capacitor 260 at the output of bridge 256 filters out ripples.
- the thermostat 232 receives operating power from the capacitor 260 .
- the rectifier bridge 256 and capacitor 260 are provided inside the thermostat 232 although shown as being outside the thermostat.) In the present example embodiment, no backup battery is provided.
- the diode 248 When the relay 250 is closed to generate a call signal, the diode 248 is OFF during a negative cycle of the call signal, thereby causing a voltage difference at inputs of the bridge rectifier 256 and enabling power stealing.
- a call signal path 264 When the relay 250 is open, a call signal path 264 is used for power stealing.
- the control 224 includes a voltage drop resistor 268 connected across the call signal path 264 and the common wire TR.
- An overcurrent limiting circuit 272 is provided in the thermostat 232 to prevent, e.g., excessive currents that might cause a false call when a positive portion of a signal is transmitted through the call signal path 264 .
- the overcurrent limiting circuit 272 may provide overcurrent protection only when RH/RC/TH terminal voltages are positive with reference to a common TR terminal voltage.
- a control 324 e.g., a heating or cooling device, receives power from transformer hot and common wires TH and TR and receives operational signals from a thermostat 332 .
- a triac 350 which may be optically isolated, is configured to be driven by the thermostat 332 to generate a call signal for activating a control of the climate control system 300 , e.g., for W 1 , W 2 , Y 1 , Y 2 , G, O, etc.
- a power stealing circuit 354 is configured to steal power, through the control 324 , from the transformer hot and common wires TH and TR.
- a rectifier bridge 356 provides output and a capacitor 360 at the output of bridge 356 filters out ripples.
- the thermostat 332 receives operating power from the capacitor 360 . (The rectifier bridge 356 and capacitor 360 are provided inside the thermostat 332 although shown as being outside the thermostat.) In the present example embodiment, no backup battery is provided.
- the control 324 includes a voltage drop resistor 368 connected across the call signal path 364 and the common wire TR.
- An overcurrent limiting circuit 372 is provided in the thermostat 332 to prevent, e.g., excessive currents that might cause a false call when a positive portion of a signal is transmitted through the call signal path 364 .
- the overcurrent limiting circuit 372 may provide overcurrent protection only when RH/RC/TH terminal voltages are positive with reference to a common TR terminal voltage.
- a call signal may be modified, e.g., by changing the amplitude of the call signal (W 1 , Y 1 , G, O, W 2 , Y 2 etc.) compared with thermostat supply line signal (RC, RH) voltage.
- a call signal has a different amplitude with reference to the thermostat RC/RH signal, then a voltage difference is produced at inputs of a power stealing circuit bridge rectifier that can cause power stealing.
- a call signal may be modified, e.g., by applying a square wave or triangular wave to the control receiver unit as a call signal. A DC supply voltage available at the thermostat could be used for this purpose.
- a power stealing circuit can obtain sufficient power to operate a thermostat irrespective of call status.
- a power stealing circuit can draw power (albeit limited power), e.g., during positive half cycles as well as maximum power during negative half cycles.
- power may be stolen only during negative half cycles at maximum power.
- Power drawn by a power stealing circuit can be stored, e.g., in a high-value capacitor (having a capacity e.g., of a few millifarads or farads) so as to satisfy varying power consumption requirements of a thermostat. Power can be stolen both when there is a call and when there is no call from a thermostat. Such power stealing would not affect a control call receiver unit, where microcontroller I/O pins of the control are designed to have only logic “0” or logic “1” signals and where the control de-bounces an input signal for an appropriate number of cycles.
- aspects of the disclosure can be implemented in relation to various switching devices, including but not limited to relays, triacs, SCRs (thyristors), transistors (substantially all types), diodes in series with relays, resistors in series with relays (e.g., voltage dividers), MOSFETs, etc.
- Such devices could be used for providing call signals in various embodiments, and a potential difference across rectifier bridge inputs could cause the charging of a capacitor used for providing power to a thermostat.
- a thermostat would not require a battery backup for its operation.
- a microprocessor real time clock may be kept running by providing a super capacitor to keep the time and date running when, e.g., power for a 24VAC climate control system is shut off.
- RTC real time clock
- a status of the call generator of the thermostat would be normally OFF.
- a power stealing circuit bridge rectifier would also get a potential difference at its inputs, thereby causing capacitor charging.
- the overcurrent limiting circuit can be used, e.g., as a protection circuit to prevent overcurrent in the event of a short circuit or heavy load connection.
- the overcurrent limiting circuit thus could be used to prevent damage to switching device(s) used as a call generator.
- Various methods and switching devices may be used to obtain power for a thermostat while a call signal is being generated by the thermostat.
- relay and diode combinations, triacs, SCRs, relays, transistors, MOSFETs, etc. may be used to enable power stealing when the call is logically present, e.g., to a control.
- FIG. 5A illustrates a call signal generated by skipping a negative half cycle from a line signal, e.g., a RC/RH signal.
- a voltage generated across a voltage drop resistor of a control receiving the call signal of FIG. 5A may include a negative voltage caused by current draw by the thermostat.
- a power stealing circuit bridge rectifier may respond to the voltage shown in FIG. 5B by outputting a voltage to a supply capacitor, e.g., as shown in FIG. 5C .
- FIGS. 6A-6D A comparison of signals generated in accordance with various implementations is illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6D .
- FIG. 6A illustrates a 24VAC call signal generated by a thermostat without modifying the signal as described above.
- the call signal of FIG. 6A appears at a microprocessor pin of a given control as shown in FIG. 6B .
- FIG. 6C a ⁇ Ve half cycle is clipped from the signal of FIG. 6A to obtain a modified call signal.
- the call signal of FIG. 6C appears at the control microprocessor pin as shown in FIG. 6D .
- FIGS. 6B and 6D are the same. Both inputs would be recognized by the control as a valid call signal, and the control would proceed to execute the call.
- the ⁇ Ve half cycle can be effectively removed from the signal shown in FIG. 6A , for implementations in which control boards are designed to filter out the ⁇ Ve signal if there is any and where the clipping is performed, e.g., taking a zero crossing reference from an interrupt request (IRQ) signal for the call.
- IRQ interrupt request
- FIG. 7 An example circuit is shown in FIG. 7 that is designed for 24VAC signal conditioning on various controls, e.g., furnace control, universal control, and air handling control boards.
- a diode would remove the ⁇ Ve half cycle of FIG. 6A , producing a zero voltage at a microprocessor pin during the ⁇ Ve half cycle at input.
- the modified signal input shown in FIG. 6C sends 0V during a ⁇ Ve voltage half cycle. Such modifications can be appropriate and beneficial for power stealing during a W 1 or other call.
- a call signal may be momentarily turned OFF for a half cycle, full cycle or any number of cycles within a predetermined number of line cycles.
- a call signal in which a complete cycle is skipped is shown in FIG. 8A .
- the signal of FIG. 8A causes a thermostat power stealing circuit bridge rectifier to output a signal as shown in FIG. 8B .
- a call signal may be provided in which a partial signal is skipped for a +Ve or ⁇ Ve half cycle.
- a call signal in which a ⁇ Ve half cycle is skipped is shown in FIG. 9A .
- the signal of FIG. 9A causes a thermostat power stealing circuit bridge rectifier to output a signal as shown in FIG. 9B .
- the amplitude of a call signal may be changed, for example, by using a voltage divider or other method.
- An original 24VAC call signal is shown in FIG. 10A .
- Modified signals having lesser and greater amplitudes are shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C .
- a signal waveform type could be changed to another signal type, e.g., a square wave as shown in FIG. 11 , a triangular wave, etc.
- a thermostat or other controller may be configured to determine whether it could perform aspects of power stealing as discussed above, or whether it would be limited to performing conventional power stealing due to the configuration of a particular control, e.g., a control that recognizes both positive and negative portions of a call signal.
- a thermostat includes a switch, e.g., a slider switch for which ON or OFF determines whether conventional power stealing or power stealing in accordance with aspects of the disclosure is to be performed.
- a thermostat includes a jumper, e.g., across a diode or other component that would otherwise block a negative cycle, thereby allowing a complete cycle to be output to a control and allowing the thermostat to perform conventional power stealing.
- the jumper may be cut to cause the thermostat to steal power, e.g., during a negative cycle and to refrain, e.g., from providing a negative cycle to the control.
- software may be used to control hardware that can cause a thermostat to perform conventional power stealing instead of performing power stealing in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
- a jumper or other device and/or method may be used to control an overcurrent limiting circuit, e.g., to determine whether to apply a current limit at all and/or whether to raise a limit to a higher value.
- a W 1 terminal may be used as a default terminal through which to perform power stealing, e.g., during negative cycles as described above, since many if not most furnace controls are microprocessor-controlled.
- an unused wire may be connected as a “C” wire, in which case power stealing would be unnecessary.
- a G (fan) wire may be used as a “C” wire and a Y (compressor) wire is tied to the G wire at the control.
- a user of such an embodiment might not have manual use of the fan, but the fan will cycle when the compressor is turned on.
- aspects of the present disclosure can provide a number of advantages and benefits.
- a battery backup may be unnecessary. Power can be drawn from a call signal path even if the call is generated by a thermostat. Low cost switching devices can be used for call generation. Thermostats could become thinner and more attractive aesthetically where thick batteries can be eliminated. False call generation can be obviated in many implementations. Compared to conventional power stealing methods and circuits, more power can be stolen during a device off state when it would not cause false call generation. The foregoing capability for stealing large amounts of power is a desirable feature in a thermostat.
- various methods of power stealing may be provided, e.g., in the absence of a C wire connection, to steal sufficient power regardless of whether or not a call for heat/cool is present.
- Thermostat batteries can be eliminated where thermostats can run at full capacity using only power stealing.
- thermostats make it possible to provide a thermostat with power sufficient to support performance of all of its operating functions, including but not limited to operating a wireless transceiver or other wireless module.
- Using a capacitor as an energy storage medium makes it possible to provide substantially continuous power to the thermostat. It should be noted, however, that although various embodiments of the disclosure are described with reference to thermostats, other or additional configurations and methods are possible in relation to devices, controllers, controls, and control systems other than thermostats.
- Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.
- parameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z.
- disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges.
- parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may have other ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3, 3-10, and 3-9.
- the term “about” as used herein when modifying a quantity of an ingredient or reactant of the invention or employed refers to variation in the numerical quantity that can happen through typical measuring and handling procedures used, for example, when making concentrates or solutions in the real world through inadvertent error in these procedures; through differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of the ingredients employed to make the compositions or carry out the methods; and the like.
- the term “about” also encompasses amounts that differ due to different equilibrium conditions for a composition resulting from a particular initial mixture. Whether or not modified by the term “about,” the claims include equivalents to the quantities.
- first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.
- Spatially relative terms such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
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- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
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Abstract
Description
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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CA2871207A CA2871207C (en) | 2014-07-17 | 2014-11-17 | Apparatus and methods for power stealing by controllers |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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IN2321/MUM/2014 | 2014-07-17 | ||
IN2321MU2014 | 2014-07-17 |
Publications (2)
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US20160018836A1 US20160018836A1 (en) | 2016-01-21 |
US9841203B2 true US9841203B2 (en) | 2017-12-12 |
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US14/536,922 Active 2036-08-23 US9841203B2 (en) | 2014-07-17 | 2014-11-10 | Apparatus and methods for power stealing by controllers |
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US (1) | US9841203B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2871207C (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US10992175B2 (en) * | 2018-06-15 | 2021-04-27 | Google Llc | Communication circuit for 2-wire protocols between HVAC systems and smart-home devices |
US11788760B2 (en) * | 2020-11-04 | 2023-10-17 | Ademco Inc. | Power stealing system for low power thermostats |
US11539397B2 (en) * | 2020-12-22 | 2022-12-27 | Google Llc | Power extender for smart-home controllers using 2-wire communication |
US20230156802A1 (en) * | 2021-11-15 | 2023-05-18 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Msgb waveform indication |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5736795A (en) | 1996-04-22 | 1998-04-07 | Honeywell Inc. | Solid state AC switch with self-synchronizing means for stealing operating power |
US5903139A (en) * | 1997-01-27 | 1999-05-11 | Honeywell Inc. | Power stealing solid state switch for supplying operating power to an electronic control device |
US6490174B1 (en) * | 2001-06-04 | 2002-12-03 | Honeywell International Inc. | Electronic interface for power stealing circuit |
US20030090243A1 (en) * | 2001-11-13 | 2003-05-15 | Honeywell International Inc. | Parasitic power supply system for supplying operating power to a control device |
US8110945B2 (en) * | 2008-07-29 | 2012-02-07 | Honeywell International Inc. | Power stealing circuitry for a control device |
-
2014
- 2014-11-10 US US14/536,922 patent/US9841203B2/en active Active
- 2014-11-17 CA CA2871207A patent/CA2871207C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5736795A (en) | 1996-04-22 | 1998-04-07 | Honeywell Inc. | Solid state AC switch with self-synchronizing means for stealing operating power |
US5903139A (en) * | 1997-01-27 | 1999-05-11 | Honeywell Inc. | Power stealing solid state switch for supplying operating power to an electronic control device |
US6490174B1 (en) * | 2001-06-04 | 2002-12-03 | Honeywell International Inc. | Electronic interface for power stealing circuit |
US20030090243A1 (en) * | 2001-11-13 | 2003-05-15 | Honeywell International Inc. | Parasitic power supply system for supplying operating power to a control device |
US8110945B2 (en) * | 2008-07-29 | 2012-02-07 | Honeywell International Inc. | Power stealing circuitry for a control device |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
Canadian Office Action issued in Canadian Patent Application No. 2,871,207 dated Mar. 31, 2016, which has the same priority claim as the instant application; 6 pgs. |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2871207A1 (en) | 2016-01-17 |
US20160018836A1 (en) | 2016-01-21 |
CA2871207C (en) | 2017-06-06 |
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